Walking for veterans

Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Gazette

U.S. Marine veteran Brian Geerts of Davenport, Iowa, (left) strides 29.83 miles Friday, from Culbertson to Bartley, on an 11-day, 369.82-mile walk from Denver, Colo., to Omaha, Neb., to increase awareness of veterans suffering from post traumatic stress and to help prevent veteran suicide. Geerts said he knows five veterans who have committed suicide, and he wants to assure veterans that they are not alone, that they can ask for help. Jim Foster of Bartley joined Geerts for his Friday leg; the two men served together in the U.S. Marines at Camp Pendleton, Calif., in the 1980's. Foster carried the Marines flag; Geerts carried an American flag and an "Honor and Remember" flag, which reminds Americans of the lives given to preserve freedom, and is a national symbol of appreciation recognizing the sacrifice of generations of fallen hero families. For more information on Geerts' project, which includes other walks through other states, go to Facebook.com/vetflagrun. To donate, go to midlandscommunity.org/donor-giving/donate, and choose "Salute Our Military Community."